What's the best bike for gravel?

[BrendanZX9R]

I found my 202 XR650R the easiest bike I had to ride fast on the gravel. Had plenty of power to allow you to steer with the rear end if you wanted to, but not so much power that all you did was wheel spin. It was enough of an animal to be fun, without striking the fear of god into you! And it was light enough to be forgiving mid turn if you over cooked it.
My old KLR was a bit of a donkey in comparison, but for some that's perfect and ideal, and for some it could work out to be faster as its a lot smoother. It punted along fine, just without the excitement. But it was a whole lot more comfortable.

I now ride a KTM 990 adventure and its the fastest bike I've ever ridden on gravel, but its not as easy to ride fast as the XR was. Its also less forgiving if you get it wrong, which can happen in a hurry! at about 100hp (I guess) its probably got all the power a mere mortal could ever use on gravel.

[The Pastor]

Get with it man! It's the new HD adventure touring prototype. Apparently the production model will have the V Rod engine & leather panniers.

actually cool.

[Tazz]

What is it?

That thing is....:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=681994

He did a RTW on an Indian and a panhead chopper among other things. Falls in line with the 'what you've got is the best bike for the job' mentioned earlier.

There is also this guy

[ellipsis]

And does he have big f/off knoblies ? He's been punting that thing round tracks for years too.
FWIW I could ride the little Dr 350 faster on gravel than the 800

...no knobbly tyres allowed...he liked cheap road cheng shins on the back when he raced anywhere...

[NordieBoy]

Then again I was on a DR650. What a POS bike that was.

Maybe it's the rider?

[Woodman]

Maybe it's the rider?

Pretty much the most useful post on this thread so far Nordie

[The Pastor]

Maybe it's the rider?

probably.

but i was faster on the loose stuff on my gsx1200, gpz1000, cbr250, gl145, k11000, etc etc

[Kaituna]

Nobody has mentioned XR 650's or even a Dommie. Never ridden the 650 but I know from experience that a Dommie is very capable in the right hands.

I have ridden a few bikes and I really like riding the Dominator. Seems to get along okay? I am no hooligan though but still seems to be more predictable on gravel than my DR650 used to be.

[dino3310]

Xr .

Nobody has mentioned XR 650's or even a Dommie. Never ridden the 650 but I know from experience that a Dommie is very capable in the right hands.

2nd page bro, thought just 'XR' would cover the range

[dino3310]

I have ridden a few bikes and I really like riding the Dominator. Seems to get along okay? I am no hooligan though but still seems to be more predictable on gravel than my DR650 used to be.

chuck that CV carb away mate drop in a flatside and she'll open up so you cant help but Hooligan

[NordieBoy]

probably.

but i was faster on the loose stuff on my gsx1200, gpz1000, cbr250, gl145, k11000, etc etc

Ahh, road bikes.
Say no more.

[bart]

probably.

but i was faster on the loose stuff on my gsx1200, gpz1000, cbr250, gl145, k11000, etc etc

Your DR must have been pretty shit then. That k11000 must have been a handfull...

[JATZ]

Your DR must have been pretty shit then. That k11000 must have been a handfull...

Funnily enough..... My K feels more planted on gravel than the 800, maybe it's the low c.o.g or having the right oil in the tyres

[bart]

Funnily enough..... My K feels more planted on gravel than the 800, maybe it's the low c.o.g or having the right oil in the tyres

K11000? Is that 11,000 cc or one of those...ummm...’interesting’ looking K1’s.

Mind you, BMW’s have a habit of just picking any old number for their vehicles, which don’t have anything to do with the cc rating.

[george formby]

2nd page bro, thought just 'XR' would cover the range

My bad. Old timers disease.
And there are a lot of XR's.

Seeing as this thread is going down the rabbit hole, has a limited budget and the OP's perception of fast is debatable, what about an old school Africa Twin, Super Tenere or even... a Transalp?